Bipartisan Fury Erupts Over Leaked Kremlin Conversation
A significant political storm has erupted in Washington following the leak of a sensitive phone conversation between Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and a senior Kremlin official. The disclosure has triggered a rare moment of bipartisan anger, with lawmakers from both major parties demanding decisive action and questioning Witkoff's loyalty to the United States.
‘Traitor’ and ‘Russian Agent’: The Stinging Accusations
The backlash was swift and severe. Republican representative Don Bacon led the charge, publishing a statement on social media that left little room for interpretation. He called for Steve Witkoff's "immediate dismissal," asserting that for anyone supporting Ukrainian sovereignty, it was evident Witkoff "fully favours the Russians." Bacon questioned whether a paid Russian agent would behave any differently and unequivocally stated the envoy should be fired.
Fellow Republican Brian Fitzpatrick described the situation as a "major problem," criticising what he termed "ridiculous side shows and secret meetings." He advocated for Secretary of State Marco Rubio to be allowed to manage diplomacy transparently.
The most damning condemnation came from Democratic representative Ted Lieu, who did not mince words. He labelled Witkoff an "actual traitor," accusing him of working for Russia's interests instead of those of the United States.
The Explosive Details of the Leaked Call
The controversy stems from a recording, obtained by Bloomberg, of a call on 14 October 2025 between Witkoff and Yuri Ushakov, a top foreign policy aide to Vladimir Putin. According to a transcript, Witkoff provided candid advice on achieving a peace deal, stating it would require Moscow to gain control of Donetsk and potentially other Ukrainian territory through a land swap.
More alarmingly for his critics, Witkoff offered tactical guidance on how Putin should approach dealings with Trump. This included strategically timing a phone call between the two leaders before a planned White House visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. On Wednesday, Ushakov appeared to confirm the call's authenticity to Russian state television, suggesting the leak was a deliberate attempt to disrupt negotiations.
White House Reaction and the Road Ahead
In the face of the scandal, Donald Trump defended his envoy. While travelling aboard Air Force One on Tuesday night, the president characterised Witkoff's actions as standard negotiation tactics. "That's what a dealmaker does," Trump stated, adding that he presumed Witkoff was delivering a similar message to Ukrainian officials.
Conversely, Richard Grenell, the president's special missions envoy, shifted blame to the individual who leaked the conversation. He demanded that the "national security risk" leaker be found and fired immediately.
The proposed peace plan at the centre of the discussion is highly contentious. The 28-point proposal would force Ukraine to cede the entire Donetsk region, creating a demilitarised buffer zone recognised as Russian territory. It would also solidify Russian control over Luhansk and Crimea while freezing front lines in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Despite nearly four years of conflict, Russia has not yet fully captured the Donetsk region.
Amid the furore, Trump announced on Tuesday that he is dispatching Witkoff to Moscow to meet with Putin, while sending US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll for talks with Ukrainian officials. This sets the stage for a potential meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy scheduled for Friday.
